Pacers Draft Prep: John Collins has an old-school game

With NBA draft coverage heating up, more and more names will be linked to the Pacers. Wake Forest’s John Collins is likely a name Pacers fans will hear often.

The Pacers could face a scenario in which John Collins is on the board when they are on the clock. Collins, a sophomore from Wake Forest, has been all over mock drafts since the spring. Playing for an average team in a loaded conference, Collins quickly learned to be a standout. His game has a ton of upside and a lot of aspects that are near-ready for the next level.

At 6-foot-9 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Collins isn’t a huge center. However, he has potential to play in a smaller lineup or as an old-school four. He has already shown that he can play with the big boys.

Strengths

Rebounding was a key to Collins’ success in the ACC. He was able to haul in nearly 10 rebounds per contest. Nearly four of his boards came on the offensive end, giving his squad a crack at second chance points. Rebounding is usually an aspect that carries into the next level, so Collins appears to be set to make an immediate impact.

Collins made good decisions in terms of his shot selection. He didn’t have great range (he never attempted a 3-point shot), but he was able to finish the shots he took. Over the course of his career, Collins hit over 60 percent of his shots. He also hit 72.9 percent from the free-throw line.

An NBA team is going to get an athlete with Collins. He recorded a 37.5 inch vertical and exhibited hustle for Wake Forest in two years.

Weaknesses

A common theme in this year’s draft class, Collins struggled taking care of the ball. He only averaged 0.5 assists with 1.8 turnovers. Floor awareness and understanding defenses could go a long way in helping him transition to the NBA.

The modern NBA is a bit out of Collins’ league. He plays like a old-school, post-up power forward, but the NBA is using more and more stretch bigs. His fit seems to be a bit hazy at the moment, and he will have to prove he can find a role.

NBA comparison: Taj Gibson

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Collins’ range is anywhere from No. 10 to early in the 20s. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pacers take a shot on him at No. 18 if he is available. He has the potential to take the load off of Turner in the frontcourt.